An Old Friend

Chapter 3—Keely's Jealousy; Kris' Secret

Keely sat on the porch swing outside Phil's house. She was arguing with herself.

"I can't believe it. He was so caught up in the fact that little miss future pants was here that he completely forgot I existed. They all just ignored me. I'm sure they were just caught up in the moment. Any minute now Phil is going to realize I'm gone and come outside and apologize. Of course with Kris inside being the center of attention, I may be out here all night. I hate Phil. Wait, Phil is my best friend. I could never hate him. Although he did say that Kris and him were best friends. With Kris around, he is not going to hang with a girl from the past."

"Keel, I need to talk to you."

Keely turned her head to see Phil standing by the door.

"How long have you been standing there?"

"Long enough." Phil sat down next to her. Listen, I'm sorry it seemed like I was ignoring you. I was just so happy to see Kris. It's been so long since we spoke to one another. Although it probably doesn't feel as long to Kris. You know she must have it pretty hard. Imagine waking up and finding out years have passed, your parents are dead, and your best friend went on a time travel trip and never returned."

Keely was ashamed of herself. "I'm sorry. I guess I was being selfish. I wasn't thinking of how she must have felt to finally find some happiness. It's just that you called her your best friend. I thought I was your best friend."

"You are Keel. Kris coming here doesn't change that. It just means that I have two best friends. Didn't you know that was possible?"

"You know, I never thought you could have more than one best friend, but I guess you can."

"Keely, I'm sure once you get to know Kris, you'll find you two really have a lot in common. You already have one thing in common."

"What's that Phil?"

"You're both friends with me."

Keely smiled.

Keely and Phil heard a door shut. Kris had stepped outside.

"I see you two made up."

"Yeah," Keely replied. "I'm sorry I walked out. I guess I was kind of jealous that Phil was directing all of his attention to you. Phil is my best friend. I guess I was scared that I could be replaced so easily."

Kris joined the two on the swing. "Keely, Phil's my best friend too, and frankly he's all the family I have right now. But I could never replace you. Phil's allowed to have two best friends. Don't you think so Keely?"

"I guess you're right."

"I told you Keely," Phil said in a matter-of-fact way.

"Besides," Kris said. "There is no reason you should feel jealous of me, because I am a complete and total freak."

"Kris, don't put yourself down," Keely replied.

"No really, I am a freak."

"What are you talking about?" Phil asked.

"You were going to find out sooner or later, so I might as well tell you now. The hospital ran out of options. They had tried everything to save me. Then they thought they could try giving me animal organs. However, in order to do that, they needed to make my body compatible for them. They gene spliced me with a lioness' DNA. I have the organs of a lion in me now. They work great. Some say I'm better than ever. I have incredible reflexes, and I can climb really well. I only have enough lion DNA to support the new organs, but sometimes, animal instincts take over."

Keely was staring at her. Then all of a sudden, she started laughing hysterically. "You expect me to believe that you are part lion!"

"It's true."

Keely looked up at Kris' face. She stopped laughing. "Oh. You're actually serious."

"Wait, what you mean sometimes animal instincts take over." Phil was curious.

"Well, one time I saw this really cute guy walking down the street and I let out this loud lion roar and everyone started screaming and running, shouting that there was a lion on a rampage. I was so embarrassed even though it was actually kind of funny."

Keely laughed. "Well listen you guys, I have to get going. Let me go inside and get my books and then I'll head home."

All three of them went inside.

Pim came up to Kris and said, "Mom and Dad are forcing me to allow you to sleep in my room tonight, but you aren't getting the bed."

"Thank you Pim. I don't mind sleeping on the floor; in fact I find it very cozy."

"Then it's settled, Phil said. "Kris is staying with us!"